11. NANDOR TANCZOS (Green) Link to this
to the Minister for the Environment
Does he agree with Environment Waikato’s Dr Peter Singleton that the issues of dairying and water quality are “urgent and critical” and the only hope of change is “through regulation, … that they take on board the environmental cost of their business”?
Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Minister for the Environment) Link to this
Yes, certainly in respect of the first quote. This issue is one that is deep and complex; it goes to the heart of the economy and also our identity as New Zealanders. I look forward to working with members on it.
Does the Minister believe that there are any limits to the extent to which dairy farming can continue to expand; if so, how will the Government ensure that dairy-farming expansion keeps within those limits?
Hon TREVOR MALLARD Link to this
Clearly, there are some limits to the expansion. I think the tools to make sure those limits are enforced and effective are something to be worked on across the House.
Is the Minister concerned that “think big” irrigation projects such as Central Plains Water and the Waitaki River Hunter Downs project will push dairy-farming expansion beyond sustainable limits, especially as current levels of expansion and intensification mean that even with best-practice farming methods, our waterways will continue to deteriorate?
Hon TREVOR MALLARD Link to this
I do not yet know the details of those particular expansions. Clearly, there is a lot of responsibility on the consenting agencies for them, and having in place a proper plan of action will be important to give guidance, especially going forward.
Does the Minister agree that it is time that farmers began to pay the environmental cost of their businesses, and is it not simply subsidising unsustainable expansion of dairy farming to exempt those farmers from paying for their greenhouse gas emissions, for the huge quantities of water that they use for irrigation, and for their contamination of our common waterways by effluent and other runoff?
Hon TREVOR MALLARD Link to this
The method of regulation is, I think, what the discussion is to be about, going forward. Clearly, there is acceptance by the industries involved that individuals should pay more of the cost of their activities. I think that is something that is not limited to farmers.